PM addresses Cabinet meeting

Prime Minister George Papandreou reminded on Tuesday that two upcoming European Union summits, in February and March, will be crucial, both for the Union and Greece.

Addressing a Cabinet meeting, Papandreou said the “battles” to be waged in the Union concern Greek national issues and Europe’s economic governance. Decisions to be taken “influence Greece more than other member-states, due to the country’s difficult position in recent years.”

Referring to Monday’s off-the-agenda debate in Parliament on Greek foreign policy issues, the premier noted that there “are no essential differences as regards the country’s basic direction and our national strategy, which is a strategy of initiatives and reinforcement of Greece, as well as of a versatile diplomacy.

“On the contrary, I did not hear any other serious view with a realistic depth.”

Papandreou also underlined that Greece has regained a major part of its credibility internationally.